CUSTOMER & SUPPORT SERVICES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 27TH September 2004
ACTION SHEET
Present
Officers
Apologies
ITEM
Action Sheet from
previous meeting &
matters arising
Forward Plan of key
decisions
ITEM No 4
Councillors J Dawson (Chair), K Garrido, Compton, Powell, Holt and Jolley.
Russell Bernstein and Peter Kidd – Scrutiny Support.
Councillors Miller and Dobbs.
ACTION REQUIRED
The action sheet was amended to show that it was Cllr. Powell that had made
comments about the Quality of Life Survey at the meeting and they had been
unanimously supported.
Stephen Leach is attending a meeting to discuss his findings from his investigation
into the Scrutiny Support function on Friday the 22 nd October. All Members have
been invited.
The new committee’s terms of reference, roles and responsibilities will be
discussed at the next meeting.
Members were happy with the colour coding of agendas, which enables
differentiation between reports.
Sundry Debtors – a report will come to the October meeting, which will provide
detail for a full 6 months.
Detail on the drinking water contract has been provided for Cllr. Lea and was
available for any other members if interested.
Peter Kidd provided a brief comparison of employee satisfaction surveys. Where
possible, themes from the 1995 and 2004 surveys were aligned. The results
showed the City Council has moved in the right direction to improve staff
satisfaction and commitment though there is still further work to be done.
Items 33
Members requested further information in respect of this item.
RESPONSIBLE
MEMBER / OFFICER
TIMESCALE
Peter Kidd
Done
Russell Bernstein/
Scrutiny Chairs
Oct 2004
Geoff Topping
Oct 2004
Peter Kidd to
contact S. Fryer
Done
Alan Eastwood
December
Items 52,53 &54
In response to a question raised at the last meeting Peter Kidd presented a briefing
note, sent on behalf of the Lead Member of Corporate Services. This confirmed
that the SX3 computer system has no connection with the items on the Forward
Plan, and provided more detail on each of the decision items.
On a general point the Members were pleased with the recent improvements to the
Forward Plan. They do however feel more could be done and will consider the Plan
ITEM
The North West
Centre of
Procurement
Excellence
(NWCPE) – A
presentation by Gary
Amos Assistant
Director Procurement
Treasury
Management annual
report presented by
Geoff Topping
Assistant Director
Accountancy &
Exchequer
ACTION REQUIRED
RESPONSIBLE
MEMBER / OFFICER
when Alan Eastwood returns with a progress update.
Reports of the Director of Customer & Support Services (was Corporate Services)
Gary brought Members attention to the report attached to the agenda, “Efficiency
Peter will email
Gershon and Procurement, Everything you need to know.“ this report builds on
copies of the
recent procurement initiatives and sets the scene for the establishment of the
presentation to
NWCPE. Members include Local Authorities, the Police and Fire services, and the
members
Health Service. Gary outlined the funding provision, the establishment, the
advantages and the risks of failure. Essentially the NWCPE is a coordinating hub,
which will be a source of information and expertise, procurement best practice will
be shared with members and there will be standard protocols and forms available
to improve procurement efficiency.
Salford City Council is in some areas of procurement efficiency ahead of other
authorities, and the “think efficiency” initiative will help keep us one step in front.
The City Council will gain from the shared practice and experiences. The NWPCE
will exist for the benefit of members. Importantly, arrangements will have to suit the
local authority, and composite deals or large contracts will not be compulsory, local
arrangements should be made if beneficial.
The NWPCE will also promote the local economy, efficiencies and service
improvements can result from dealing with local firms but employment and
business development opportunities must also be considered.
Members stressed the importance of this area of work and thanked Gary for an
Gary Amos
excellent presentation. Gary will bring the procurement strategy to this committee
when finalised in the near future
This report was in two parts; the Treasury Management Annual Report 2003/04
and The Treasury Management Strategy Review 2004/05. The performance in
2003/04 was recognised and praised by members in particular the debt rescheduling, which has resulted in considerable revenue savings. Part 2, reviewed
the strategy and the borrowing, investment and leasing activity to date. It also
highlighted the changes to the Treasury Management Practices (TMPs) that set
out how the City Council will manage and control its activities.
Chairs, Lead
Consideration will be given as to whether future reports will come to this Scrutiny
Members and
Committee or Budget and Audit Scrutiny.
Senior officers
TIMESCALE
Done
November /
December – to
be confirmed
Regular
reporting Item.
RESPONSIBLE
MEMBER / OFFICER
ITEM
ACTION REQUIRED
Review of ICT
Services. A
presentation by Mike
Willetts Head of
Salford Advance and
Eric Halton Assistant
Director (Operations
& Support)
The presentation aimed to put ICT Services into context for Members. It contained
an overview of the function, an appreciation of the various local and national
initiatives affecting and directing the aims and achievements of the service, and
updated Members as to the progress of the Best Value Review of ICT. Following a
challenge session, key issues have been identified and actions developed to
ensure that the Service is heading in the right direction and performing well.
Consultation and research is still continuing which will determine the eventual
action plan, but alongside this is the deliberate intention to take appropriate
actions to improve performance and service delivery while the review is in
progress.
As well as discussing the presentation the Members used this as an opportunity to
raise several IT related queries.
Recent problems with the Members email system was mentioned, causes
explained and corrective steps taken outlined.
The IT equipment Members use is 3 to 4 years old and due for replacement next
September. A review of requirements will be undertaken soon, in consultation with
Members, which will consider options and identify the way forward.
Download speeds and printing, particularly from the SOLAR system is a
recognised problem area and an issue that is currently being addressed.
The pilot e-surgery project is due to start imminently now the Members involved
have received the necessary equipment.
At the next meeting, the Committee will consider the Work programme for the
coming year and the new terms of reference and roles and responsibilities
following the Review of Corporate Governance and the alignment of Scrutiny
Committees.
The scheduled December meeting is on a Bank Holiday and needs to be changed,
Members agreed to meet at 9.30 am on the 20 th December instead.
Workplan
AOB
Chair
Assistant Director of Scrutiny
Scrutiny Support Officer
Councillor J Dawson
Russell Bernstein
Peter Kidd
0161 793 5014
0161 793 3530
0161 793 3322
TIMESCALE
Mike Willets will
keep Members
informed of
programme
Russell Bernstein /
Peter Kidd
October
Peter Kidd
Dec 2004